STOP MAI |
Authorised
by the STOP-MAI Campaign Coalition (WA) Affiliated
with the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTInet) |
| STOP MAI |
Authorised
by the STOP-MAI Campaign Coalition (WA) Affiliated
with the Australian Fair Trade and Investment Network (AFTInet) |
Howard's zeal for Iraq war is about his drive for
an Australia-US Free Trade AgreementWestern Australia's StopMAI Coalition, which campaigns against global 'free trade' measures, will take part in Saturday's Rally Against War in Forrest Place, Perth.
The group believes Prime Minister Howard has involved Australia in an invasion of Iraq to curry favour with President Bush, who was recently granted executive power to approve 'free trade' agreements with favoured nations.
Trade Minister Mark Vaile announced on 14 November that negotiations were about to proceed with the US for an Australia-US Free Trade Agreement (AUSFTA).
A report on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website estimates that the benefits to Australia from the AUSFTA is $9.9 billion over 20 years (or $26.05 per Australian per year). The present level of trade between the two countries totals US$26 billion p.a., with an annual imbalance of US$6 billion in favour of the USA.
StopMAI believes the AUSFTA is designed to benefit a few wealthy corporations to the disadvantage of the Australian people. For instance, the Agreement would:
- remove all controls on US investment (the right to choose between investment that benefits the national interest and that which harms it
- allow US corporations to sue the government for decisions to protect our quality of life and environment if they cut into corporate profits
- open up essential services like telecommunications, health, education and water to US corporate control (resulting in loss of equitable access and higher prices)
- remove local content rules for film and TV
- abolish the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme
StopMAI is demanding a much broader public debate on the reasons why our Federal Government is imperilling the nation to 'go all the way with the USA'.
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PHONE CONTACTS: Brian Jenkins +61 8 9528 1864; Dion Giles 0411 745 538